The reality of the COVID—19 pandemic seriousness became apparent last Friday with the news that a member of the House of Representatives was being tested for the virus. The test was negative. Last Thursday, Gov. Laura Kelly’s emergency declaration underscored the situation, and it prompted a show of bipartisanship in the House Appropriations Committee last Friday when a base state budget was quickly approved with deferral of debate on many high-profile budget items until the veto session.